Ventilating shade



Jam 25, 1927.

1,61,29s G. A. WALKER` A n VENTILATING 4SHADE Filed July s. 1924 @7m/1MM a Sil LTI

Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

GEORGE A. WALKER, or

WAUKESHA, VJISCONSIN.

VENTILATING SHADE.

Application led June 3,

rlhis invention has to do with shades of the type composed of a plurality of slats or splints woven together and spaced a short distance apart to permit the passage of air therethrough while restricting the passage of such light rays as may be objectionable., and the aim has been to producel a shade which is especially adapted for use in factories, otlices, schools, etc.

The object of the invention is to produce a. construction for shades of this character which excludes such direct rays of the sun as would otherwise fall. upon desks or benches of ordinary heights, while at the same time permitting the passage of a greater volume of air and light.

In the accompanying drawings have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention in the form of a shade composed of a plurality of splints woven together in spaced relation; and l have obtained the object set forth by shaping the splints of the lower and central portions of the shade so as to prevent the passage of all direct sun rays, and by shaping the splints in the upper portion of the shade so as to restrict to a lesser degree the passage of air and light while preventing the passage of such direct sun rays as may be objectionable. l/llhen the sun is high so that the rays project at an angle to the horizontal, they are unable to pass between 'the said upper splints, and at all times the splints in the lower or central portion of the shade prevent the passage of direct sun rays. When the sun is low, so that the rays are 'directed in a substantially horizontal direction, they are permitted to pass freely between the splints in the upper portion of the shade, but such rays in passing are of such height as to be above the normal line of vision and hence unobjectionable.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a fragmentary front elevation of a section of a shade constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the end of the shade section in elevation. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately in the plane of line 3 3.

The shade selected for purposes of illustration comprises a plurality of slats or splints generally indicated by the numeral- 7. These splints are woven together in a manner such as to be held in spaced horizontal relation by means of cords 8.

1924. vSerial No. 723,875.

9 designates the frame of a windpw or other opening in a building to which the shade is applied, the upper end of the shade being shown as secured to the upper edge of the frame opening by fastening means 9 of a suitable character. As will be understood, shades of this type are .isually previded with means (not herein shova'n) for rolling` the shade up and down from its lower end, which in. the present instance is reinforced by a pair of stri as 10 on opposite sides of the lowermost splint. Similarly the upper end of the shade is provided with reinforcing strips l1 on opposite sides of the uppermost splint.

To prevent the passage of direct sun rays between the splints in the lower and central portions of the shade while at the same time permitting of the passage of indirect or reflected light rays and air, I make the splints in such portions of the shade rhomboid in shape so as to provide bevelled upper and lower edges 12, the angle of inclination being in the present instance approximately and extending upwardly and inwardly.

To permit the passage of a greater volume ot light and air between the splints of the upper portion of the shade, I make these splints approximately rectangular in form so as to provide rectangularly disposed edges 13. It will, of course, be understood that the splint which is located between what I have termed the central portion of the shade and what l have termed the upper portion, has its upper edge 13a square or rectangular with respect to the front and rear sides of this splint, while its lower edge 12 is bevelled upwardly and inwardly.

lt will loe observed that, by the construction and arrangement set forth, the shade is provided in its lower and central portions with spaces 14 between the splints which are inclined in an upward and inward direction permitting the passage of indirect or reflected light rays only; and that in the upper portion of the shade, the construction provides horizontally disposed spaces or slots 15 permitting the passage of the rays of the sun only when the latter is low and at all times permitting a freer passage of indirect light and air. The said upper portion of the shade, it will be understood, is in practice positioned above the normal line of vision so that the direct sun rays which pass are unobjectionable. At the same time, the passage of direct horizontal sun rays is especiali y :ulvantageons because at such time the volume oil? light available is materially reduced.

It will thus be seen that I have produced by a siinple construction, not adding per ceptably to the cost of the shade, a shade haw innl materially increased utility. It is es pecially advantageous where the shade is used in oilices, school rooms, manufacturing plants and the like, where the InaXiinuni amount of ventilation and reflected light is desired.

I clailn as my invention: y

l. A shade coniprising, horizontally disposed splints,woven together in spaced vertical relation, the splints in the upper portion ot the shade being` substantially rectangular in forni so as to provide horizontally disposed spaces adapted to permit the free passage of 20 air and of sun rays projected in a substantially horizontal direction, the other splints 'being rhomboid in shape to provide upwardly and inwardly inclined spaces between the splints adapted to permit of the passage of reflected sun rays only.

2. kA shade comprising horizontally7 disposed splints woven together in spaced ver tical relation, the splints in the upper portion of the shade having' their adjacent edges shaped to provide horizontally disposed spaces adapted to permit the free passage of air and sun rays projected in a substantially horizontal direction, the other splints having their adjacent edges shaped to provide upwardly and inwardly inclined spaces between the splints adapted to permit ot the j issage of reliected sun rays only.

in testimony wl'iereol', I have hereunto af- WALKER.

GEORGE A. 

